So I'm new to this thread and I'm hoping for some expert advice! I have had very curly hair my whole life, it's fine but there is a lot of it. Anyways, I went through a period (as do most girls) where I straightened it all the time. Also a few years ago I used to have highlights and I maintained them for a few years.

About a month ago I did the unthinkable. I went and cut ALL my hair off for a new look (angled bob) and now I obviously regret it, but what I am finding is the biggest issue is that my hair doesn't seem very curly at all these days. It's really curly underneath and at the back where it's the shortest, but the top layers are more wavy, which I assumed is from all the straightening, pulling my hair back into a pony, etc. (This was also a problem before I chopped it all off, it's just more annoying now that I don't have many style options). I feel like I'd like my new cut a lot more if I could get my glorious curls back! I think this is the right place for advice as I've seen a lot of before/after pics where there is some serious curl happening and I want to get mine back!! What should I do and where can I go to learn about this "CG" routine I keep seeing everywhere?!!

There is so much to learn about curly hair and you've come to the right place. I wish there was a simple answer to your question, but there's not. So much depends on how damaged your hair is from straightening, coloring and products. You'll learn all you need (and then some) about the CG method here.

Long story short - most products we use(d) to smooth our hair contain silicones. Silicones will smooth our unruly hair but block moisture so our hair dries out making it less curly and more frizzy. The only thing that effectively washes out silicones is sulfates. Sulfates are very harsh and drying. So we use silicones to smooth our hair...........and the cycle continues.

CG method teaches to get more moisture into our hair without using harsh, drying cleansers. It's very effective for many curlies. Many of us consider ourselves "modified cg," meaning that we use some gentle cleansers and water soluble 'cones.

It will all seem confusing and a little overwhelming at first. I assure you that if you keep reading and experimenting, you'll find some great tips that will help you find exactly what your hair needs. You may want to check out the boards for newbies. There is good starter info there.

So I'm new to this thread and I'm hoping for some expert advice! I have had very curly hair my whole life, it's fine but there is a lot of it. Anyways, I went through a period (as do most girls) where I straightened it all the time. Also a few years ago I used to have highlights and I maintained them for a few years.

About a month ago I did the unthinkable. I went and cut ALL my hair off for a new look (angled bob) and now I obviously regret it, but what I am finding is the biggest issue is that my hair doesn't seem very curly at all these days. It's really curly underneath and at the back where it's the shortest, but the top layers are more wavy, which I assumed is from all the straightening, pulling my hair back into a pony, etc. (This was also a problem before I chopped it all off, it's just more annoying now that I don't have many style options). I feel like I'd like my new cut a lot more if I could get my glorious curls back! I think this is the right place for advice as I've seen a lot of before/after pics where there is some serious curl happening and I want to get mine back!! What should I do and where can I go to learn about this "CG" routine I keep seeing everywhere?!!

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help! Want to cry!!

Originally Posted by melissarose

I cut my hair into a slight A-bob last spring. I looooved the way it looked blown out but trying to wear it wavy was like a full-time job!!! My hair has really weak waves and I think it just wasn't meant to be worn in that type of style. A couple months later I had my stylist cut it more into a shag (I call it a shabob!) and the top layers helped a lot. I've been growing it out and I think it's been helping a little. Along with going CG, you might also benefit from your stylist adjusting the cut a little to get the most out of your curls. Good luck!!!

You've come to the right place. I've worn my hair in an inverted, curly bob for a little over 3 years. It's the first time in my adult, curly life that I've felt I have a style. My stylist of 30+ years didn't think the stack would curl when he cut it, but it does.

I've learned how to use products and style my hair on nc.com. My hair is the curliest it's ever been thanks to what I've learned. The best advice is to read, read and read some more.

CG will improve the health of your hair and most likely make it curl in a much more uniform and healthy and bouncy way It made a world of difference in my hair. Basically, you're going to have to read up on all the aspects of CG -- there are plenty of threads about this in both the newbie and general discussion about curly hair boards -- and do a lot of experimenting to see what your hair likes. Getting to know your hair's properties, which you already mostly seem to know, is helpful. Since you say your hair is fine, products with protein in them are a good place to start. You should also work your way up to protein treatments and see how your hair likes that.

It may seem complicated at first, but I can just about guarantee that CG is the best thing you can do for your hair! Good luck, feel free to PM me if you ever have any questions!

thanks everyone for your input. i feel like this is going to be a big job, finding out all the products i need and the proper routine, but i feel like i need to give it a shot if i ever want nice hair again! i actually bought the curly girl book so when that comes i'm going to read it and get started! this forum has been a world of help so i'm looking forward to posting updates and learning lots of good tricks here!! thanks again!

thanks everyone for your input. i feel like this is going to be a big job, finding out all the products i need and the proper routine, but i feel like i need to give it a shot if i ever want nice hair again! i actually bought the curly girl book so when that comes i'm going to read it and get started! this forum has been a world of help so i'm looking forward to posting updates and learning lots of good tricks here!! thanks again!

Originally Posted by melissarose

The new CG book is better than the first, but really not all that great. Best part about it is the DVD. I could never use all the product that the models use, but it shows you how to handle your hair. The ebook on livecurlylivefree website is much more informative. No information that you couldn't get on nc.com, if you really searched and read--but it's all in one place.

thanks everyone for your input. i feel like this is going to be a big job, finding out all the products i need and the proper routine, but i feel like i need to give it a shot if i ever want nice hair again! i actually bought the curly girl book so when that comes i'm going to read it and get started! this forum has been a world of help so i'm looking forward to posting updates and learning lots of good tricks here!! thanks again!

Originally Posted by melissarose

It definitely can be a full time job trying to figure out your hair!!! I've been mod-CG for a full year this month and I'm still frustrated at times!! I think I started having a really hard time when I cut my hair shorter but now that it's growing out and I switched over to mousse it's getting a bit better. I highly recommend reading older posts and asking plenty of questions because everyone here is super helpful and very friendly and willing to help.

The knowledge that helped me most, after learning the CG routine, was discovering my hair's need for protein. How much and when and how my hair likes/doesn't like it. Overmoisturizing your hair can be and issue, too.

I also found my best styling routine was done completely in the shower, with lots of watery-product scrunching, with my head upside down.

Getting your curls back could be as easy as a good protein conditioner and an epsom salt rinse.

Change just one thing at a time and pay close attention to what is happening. Don't try too many things at once, or you will never know what you are doing wrong or right.

The knowledge that helped me most, after learning the CG routine, was discovering my hair's need for protein. How much and when and how my hair likes/doesn't like it. Overmoisturizing your hair can be and issue, too.

I also found my best styling routine was done completely in the shower, with lots of watery-product scrunching, with my head upside down.

Getting your curls back could be as easy as a good protein conditioner and an epsom salt rinse.

Change just one thing at a time and pay close attention to what is happening. Don't try too many things at once, or you will never know what you are doing wrong or right.

I have no idea how it actually improves curl, but it makes my hair much more bouncy. Truth be known, I just add epsom salts to my bath water when my body is sore from overwork. Hair comes out lovely afterwards.